Bury Your Past for Good!

How often do you find yourself the focus of someone’s accusations from years gone past—something you had buried long ago—but there’s always that one person who simply can’t leave it alone? You are trying to live a good life, trying to do things right, staying out of trouble and away from those who might lead you astray only to find one day, out of nowhere, someone lambasts you with something from your past.

Perhaps your past has been a bit checkered? You have done things you wish you hadn’t? If you had it all to do over, you would definitely choose differently; but, the past is the past and unfortunately we all have one. There are things we would all change if given an opportunity to do so.

The simple facts is when you come to Jesus and confess your past to Him and truly repent, your sins are forgiven and remembered no more. Consider the woman brought to Jesus who had been caught in the act of adultery. When Jesus confronted the accusers with their own sins, they slithered away quickly.

Then, He turned to the woman and said to her: “‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, Lord,’ she answered. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus. ‘Go, and from now on do not sin any more’” (John 8:10-11 CSB). Jesus buried her past just as He has buried your past. It is time for you to let it go, quit living under its condemnation and live in the victory that Jesus has given you.

When accusers come and try to dig it up again, remind them that your past has been washed away by the blood of Jesus. You no longer live in your past. You are living in the victory of your future through Jesus Christ.

Scripture Reading: “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (John 8:36 NLT).

Prayer: Father, my past has certainly not always been one I take pride in. In fact, I am embarrassed and disgusted by some of the things that I have done. But, I thank you that You do not hold my past against me. Through Jesus Christ, I have been set free from my past and its eternal consequences. I have new life in Jesus and I ask You to enable me to walk in Your strength and power so I may continue to overcome when temptation to do wrong comes my way. Thank you for my salvation and freedom to live in victory—in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Backed Against A Wall?

Do you ever find yourself struggling to survive? You feel the world crushing in on you; everything seems to be going against you; you feel like your back is against the wall and you can’t escape?

Worse yet is the feeling that maybe GOD has abandoned you as well. There seems to be an eerie silence and you begin to wonder what you have done to create such an atmosphere about yourself?  

The Israelites found themselves in similar circumstances often. In Deuteronomy 31, we find them preparing to cross over the Jordan River, the final barrier to obtaining all they had been anticipating for years—possession of the Promised Land. As they did, feelings of fear, incompetence, and insecurity were overwhelming them. To top it off, Moses, the man who had led them out of Egypt and through the desert was now preparing to die.

One final time, Moses stood up before the people and issued this decree to them: “Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 CSB). Then he turned to Joshua, the man who would take over, and declared to him: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I swore to them, and I will be with you” (v. 22).

If you find yourself backed against a wall; fearful of what tomorrow may bring; discouraged because life doesn’t seem to be going right, the word of the LORD to you today is to be strong and courageous. Do not be fearful or overwhelmed by your problems. He will be with you through every trial you encounter, every dark path you travel, every difficult situation you are faced with. He will never leave you nor depart from you.

Take your eyes off of your difficulties, situations and circumstances and focus upon the LORD. Declare your freedom in Him today. Understand your position as a King’s kid places you in authority over these things which make you feel like you are backed against a wall.

Scripture Reading: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 CSB)

Prayer: Father, today I declare my freedom in You! I will no longer allow Satan or others to utilize fear or difficulties to back me into a corner in the name of Jesus. I understand Your promise to me to be with me and to deliver me from such circumstances. I accept my position as a chosen part of the Kingdom of GOD, a part of the Kingly priesthood and today I declare His praises shall continually be upon my lips flowing out of a heart that recognizes this place I am in through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior…in Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Worth a Great Deal More Than You Think!

Have you ever felt like an outcast, like nobody cares? Has it ever seemed like people just wished you would disappear, go away, leave? Maybe you look at yourself and wonder if you will ever be worth anything to anybody? The truth is you are worth a great deal more than you think!

Consider the story of the little man named Zacchaeus. If you were in church as a child, you would’ve probably heard stories about this little insignificant guy—stories still circulating about him over 2,000 years after his death! 

The Bible tells his story this way: “There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, because today I must stay at your house’” (Luke 19:2-5 CSB).

What we know about this man is that he was hated by those around him because he was tax collector. While that doesn’t really seem that bad on the surface, these guys were considered traitors because they were collecting taxes and revenue from the people for a foreign government that was also hated. To top off his problems, he was short in stature.

But, Jesus came to town. As was always the case, people had flocked all around Him and this little short guy wanted a peek at Him as His name had become very well known throughout the country. He climbed up in a tree and as Jesus passed by, He looked up, laid eyes on Zacchaeus and spoke directly to Him. He didn’t condemn Him or belittle him; rather, He told him to come on down as He was headed to his home to spend some quality time. Now with thousands of people around Him, Jesus could have chosen anyone of them but He chose Zacchaeus.

Of course, all the religious people standing around were infuriated that Jesus would have anything to do with this traitor but Jesus looked beyond what natural eyes normally see and saw significance in this little guy. He went to his home and shared a meal with Zacchaeus and as the story goes, Zacchaeus’ life was transformed. His heart changed; his life changed; his motives changed. He went out and paid back everybody he had ever ripped off or cheated as a tax collector.

Why? What happened? Zacchaeus was worth a great deal more than he could ever imagine and Jesus recognized that. Today, if you are feeling insignificant, Jesus sees you as significant—He sees you as valuable. Turn to Him and find your real worth.

If you know someone today who has been down and out, lacking in self-confidence and having a negative outlook on life, challenge them with positive words and praise, encourage them and let them know they are worth a great deal more than they think!

Scripture Reading: “What is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him? You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him lord over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet” (Psalm 8:4-6 CSB).

Prayer: Father, I am often overwhelmed by my fears and insecurities. I often feel as though I am all alone, no one really cares about me at all. I pray You would wrap me in Your arms and embrace me at these times. Help me to recognize that You see something bigger in me than I could ever imagine. Help me to see that You gave Jesus to die for me. Help me to understand and then to live out my significance. I praise You, Father—in Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Don’t Lose Today!

It’s so easy getting consumed with tomorrow, you wind up losing today. Over the years, I have known a great many people who were so consumed with what tomorrow “might” bring that they lost all the enjoyment of today. Life, for many, is filled with worries and concerns of what their future could “possibly” bring.

Jesus countered this mind-set when He said: “Don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 CSB). It’s enough for a person to make it through today without overbearing themselves with what might possibly happen tomorrow. Apparently, worrying is nothing new. Jesus took time during His Sermon on the Mount to deal with the issue and His words continue to offer strength and encouragement when worry begins to overwhelm us.

He started out by saying: “Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky: they don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?” (Mt 6:25-26). In today’s vernacular, He is telling us, “Don’t worry, I got this! I got you covered. I’m taking care of your problems for you.”

He goes on saying: “So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Mt 6:31-32). Here, He is heaping on even more encouragement as He tells us that GOD is well aware of every “need” we have. Then, He throws in a word of caution, warning us to refrain from becoming so obsessed with earthly possessions that they become idols to us. As we allow ourselves to become obsessed with having the “things” everybody else has, worry of how we will obtain our “new desire” will overwhelm us.

We must be so careful that we are spending our lives pursuing after what is right for our lives. Jesus finishes His discourse by directing us down the right path of thought. He tells us: “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (Mt 6:33). In other words, quit seeking after what this world treasures. Turn your attention to the LORD and seek after those things that hold eternal value. Then, GOD will provide the things that you need.

As you learn to place your trust completely in Him, you will find peace for today and not be worrying about tomorrow. It is very easy to lose today worrying about tomorrow. Don’t do it—don’t lose today!

Scripture Reading: “Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t He do much more for you-you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30 CSB).

Prayer: Father in heaven, I have spent too many years worrying about what tomorrow might bring, only to discover it never came to pass. I have lost a great deal of time in my life concerning myself with problems and issues that I allowed to overwhelm me. I pray You give me the strength I need to place my trust completely in You for all I need. Help me to lay aside my desires for things that others have and to focus my eyes and my heart upon things that have eternal value. I trust in You today—in Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Freedom Indeed!

How often do you find yourself struggling in life with some form of bondage or entrapment? Certainly, it could be something serious like drugs, alcohol, pornography or the like; but then again, it could be something like overeating, TV time, other pleasurable things of life—things that seem quite harmless but can be serious to deadly within themselves over time. Peter warned us to: “Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour” (1 Peter 5:8 CSB).

What might appear harmless can become serious if we are not careful. Satan is working desperately to entrap us in things that eventually bring harm to us, whether it be physically, spiritually, or both. David prayed: “Protect me from the trap they have set for me, and from the snares of evildoers. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass safely by” (Psalm 141:9-10 CSB).

GOD has a plan and a purpose for each of us. Satan has devised a plan and purpose for each of us as well. GOD’s plan is for our good while Satan is out to destroy us in any way he possibly can. Satan leads us gently into his trap by deception. He entices us with pleasures and things which seem harmless on the surface but will eventually end in our destruction.

David, knowing the ways of Satan, understood his protection came from the LORD. He understood the necessity of leaning on the LORD, seeking refuge in the LORD and trusting in His abilities in order to overcome. He said: “my eyes look to You, Lord God. I seek refuge in You; do not let me die” (Psalm 141 8 CSB).

Jesus told us: “if the Son sets you free, you really will be free” (John 8:36 CSB). Freedom from the entrapments of this life will only be found through Jesus Christ. Breaking free from habits and entrapments of life is not always easy; in fact, it can involve some of the most difficult and trying experiences a person passes through but in the end it is worth it all.

So, no matter what may have your life ensnared or entrapped today, Jesus wants to set you free. Jesus desires your absolute, complete freedom indeed! Trust in Him today and know that He will empower you to overcome and to find your freedom.

Scripture Reading: “No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the Lord’s servants, and their righteousness is from Me. This is the Lord’s declaration” (Isaiah 54:17 CSB).

Prayer: Father, I need to experience Your freedom in my life today. I have lived my life encumbered by the trappings of Satan and I desire to be free today. I ask for Your help, Father, to find deliverance from the chains—to be set free. Give me the strength I will need to overcome the temptation and to find total victory—in Jesus’ name, AMEN!

From a Human Standpoint!

Over the years, I have encountered individuals who were convinced that their bad, evil past prevented them from ever receiving GOD’s forgiveness and acceptance. Some have shared their past experiences with me and definitely there were some that I considered horrible and beyond forgiveness as well, from a human standpoint. But, fortunately for humanity, GOD looks beyond a human standpoint. His exceedingly abundant love for humanity looks beyond the evil and sinfulness and sees the possibilities–what could be.

Consider King Manasseh for a moment. Manasseh was a ruthless ruler of the nation of Judah. From all accounts, he was the most evil king to ever rule over God’s chosen people. During his fifty-five year reign, he built altars to the foreign gods of the pagan nations around about. He worshipped the stars; he sacrificed his own children to pagan gods; he involved himself in sorcery, magic, mediums, and fortune-tellers. He even went so far as to place carved idols in God’s temple. His ruthlessness filled Israel with innocent blood from one end to the other. He even had the prophet Isaiah sawn in half for continually condemning his wickedness and attempting to point him back to GOD.

The Scripture tells us: “The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they didn’t listen” (2 Chronicles 33:10 HCSB). GOD didn’t give up on Manasseh, even in the midst of his extreme wickedness. Apparently, his wickedness had also infected those around him. But, they wouldn’t listen. Maybe today you feel the LORD speaking in the midst of your evil ways. Are you listening? There is still time to respond to GOD’s call to repent and turn back. How will you respond? 

Manasseh responded by continuing in his evilness. So GOD “brought against them the military commanders of the king of Assyria. They captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon” (v. 11). GOD delivered judgment upon him through a foreign power. Manasseh’s wickedness had landed him in a terrible mess. He had a decision to make. The Scripture tells us: “When he was in distress, he sought the favor of the Lord his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. He prayed to Him, so He heard his petition and granted his request, and brought him back to Jerusalem, to his kingdom. So Manasseh came to know that the Lord is God” (vv. 12-13).

Scripture reveals that GOD didn’t give up on him. When he turned back to GOD in complete repentance for his evil ways, GOD accepted him back and returned him to his position as king. Your past does not have to be your future. From a human standpoint, you may be considered beyond GOD’s grace. But, GOD is still in the business of forgiveness and He desires for you to turn back to Him, no matter how bad you have been. GOD desires to give you a future filled with His love and grace. How will you respond today?

Order Out of Chaos!

Many years ago an older gentleman asked me to assemble a desk he had purchased. When I arrived I discovered this thing was huge, filling five different large cartons in his living room. As I was laying out the pieces all over his living room for assembly, I began to feel as though I would never get it all together. But slowly, it began to take shape and order began to develop out of the chaos. After a long, difficult day, I stepped back and what I saw was amazing.
This so reminds me of our lives and our world. We look around at everything that is going on and all we see is chaos and disorder. We look at our own lives and the mess we have often made out of them and wonder how GOD could ever bring any order to such chaos.
King Solomon felt the same way. As his life was rapidly winding down, he looked back at it all and he said: “It is beautiful how God has done everything at the right time. He has put a sense of eternity in people’s minds. Yet, mortals still can’t grasp what God is doing from the beginning to the end of time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 GW).
GOD is working—in His time, in our world, in our lives—to establish order where we only see disorder, to create beauty out of a mess. When we step back and look at where we were and then we are today, we can truly see the beauty of GOD’s hand. Oftentimes, we will not understand the “whats” or the “whys” or the “how comes;” but, we can rest in the assurance that GOD is at work creating beauty.
Sometimes, we just have to hold on by faith, trusting in what GOD is doing. Like that desk, I had no idea what it would become or if it ever would become but when it as finally finished, it was marvelous, functional and beautiful. So it is with you and me, if we have placed our trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
The mortality of our hearts and minds prevents us from always seeing the big picture, but the time will come when we will step back and look over our years and say, “WOW! GOD, You are so awesome! What You have done with me, with my world, I would’ve never imagined the final product of Your work in my life! You have brought order, functionality and beauty to what was once only chaos and disorder. Thank You!”
Scripture Reading: “You are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted” (1 Peter 2:9-10 Message Bible).
Prayer: Father in heaven, I have messed things up at times. In my pursuit of worldly acceptance, I have often created chaos and disorder in my life. But, I realize You have something far greater in store for me. I surrender myself over to You to be shaped, molded and created into a beautiful object that displays You and Your glory even in the darkness of our world. Thank You, Father, for taking me just as I was and working to make me just as You want me to be. In Jesus’ name…AMEN!

What Did You “SAY?”

How often do we think before we speak? How many times have we said something we wished we could take back or wished we’d simply never said it in the first place? How many people have we hurt by something we’ve said to or about them? Has there ever been a time when you said something and someone close by looked at you—shocked—and said, “What did you say?”

James warned of the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue with these words: “the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:5-6 NIV). He didn’t mince words because he knew the great danger of an out-of-control tongue.

A dear friend recently sent me the following. From its truths, we can recognize the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue while at the same time understanding the benefits of a tongue under control. Consider its simple truths for a moment:

What Did You “SAY?”
Words spoken are in motion:
Words can maim or words can mend;
They can be weapons or balm.
Our words can be Satan’s marching orders;
Or, with them God may send His angels on a mission.
Have you heard someone spew cursing about people or things?
Words start wars and stop wars.
Hitler’s words sent millions of Jews to their death.
Winston Churchill’s classic speech spared England.
We have also heard people spew meaningless chatter.
God said, “Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many” (Proverbs 4:10 NIV).
~~ Frances Knight, Author of: Christianity Alive! with Prayer Power

STOP and think about what you just read. Now, consider something more James adds: “It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be” (James 3:8-10 NIV).

Before you are forced to ask yourself, “What did I say?;” ask yourself “What should I say?” Remember: “The tongue has no bones but it is strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words” (Greek Proverb). With an out-of-control tongue, men have lost jobs, friends, spouses and nations. Don’t let it happen to you!

Scripture Reading: “Lord, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say” (Psalm 141:3 NCV).

Prayer: Father, I realize my tongue can have a mind of its own if I am not mindful of its every action. I pray for the ability to harness it and to prevent it from bringing harm to others as well as my situations on life; rather, using it for good and meaningful actions. I ask you, LORD, to give me wisdom to know when to talk and when to listen; what to say and when to be quiet. May my tongue be used to glorify You and You alone!…in Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Is It Ever TOO Late?

As he was drawing his final breaths in this life, Steve Jobs said: “In the eyes of others, my life has been the symbol of success. However, apart from work, I have little joy. Finally, my wealth is simply a fact to which I am accustomed. At this time, lying on the hospital bed and remembering all my life, I realize that all the accolades and riches of which I was once so proud, have become insignificant with my imminent death.”

His final words reveal his struggle to come to grips with his impending death. He had had it all; he had done it all; life for Steve Jobs, by human standards, was as great as it gets. Or was it? As he lay dying, reflecting on his past, his words signified his lostness. I am reminded of the final words of another who had gained everything the world had to offer but found no satisfaction. King Solomon’s final conclusion of life is summed up in his final words: “Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiates 1:2 NIV). Was it too late for these men? Had they permanently traded in eternity in heaven for the pleasures of life?

I began to consider when too late is too late. I thought about Jesus hanging on the cross and the two thieves that were crucified on either side of Him. The first chose to hurl insults at Jesus as his life was drawing to a close; while the other, recognizing his desperate need for something more than life ever gave him, chose to turn to Jesus. His final words were: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42 NIV).

Jesus turned to the second thief and replied: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 NIV). Did Solomon find peace with His Savior as he was dying? We do not know for certain, but we do know that on his deathbed, it was not too late to make the right decision. Steve Jobs, did he recognize his need for a Savior during the final moments of his life? We do not know, but if he did, he was welcomed into the kingdom of heaven following his final breath.

What about you? Have you come to grips with your need for a Savior? Have you recognized your need to turn your life over to Jesus Christ? Is it ever too late? YES, it is! After you take your final breath on this earth, whenever that may be, it is then too late. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Discover the true meaning of life by choosing Jesus and then living every day for Jesus.

Scripture Reading: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV).

Prayer: Father God, I recognize how meaningless life truly is. I feel the emptiness; I feel the need for something more than I have ever experienced on this earth. Please forgive me and forgive my past. Come into my life, I surrender it all over to You right now. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dying for me and for taking away my sins and giving me the opportunity to share eternity with You—in Jesus’ name, AMEN!